Split Bearing Assemblies, Air-Cooled Heat Exchangers and Related Methods

ABSTRACT

Bearing assemblies are provided that include a bearing having a split bearing body that includes a material such as a composite or a thermoplastic; and at least one recess configured for receiving a rotary seal assembly; and at least one rotary seal assembly comprising an energizing component. The bearing assemblies may further include at least two recesses and/or an energizing component that is an o-ring.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to pending U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/076,481, filed Jun. 27, 2008,the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Air-cooled heat exchangers and other similar types of heating andcooling equipment are used in many industries, including oil refineries,petrochemical manufacturing, drilling and reservoir applications,natural gas manufacture, transportation systems, the chemicalmanufacturing industry, transportation industry and various industrialuses. Essentially, they are used wherever heat exchange equipment may beimplemented and required to maintain constant temperature in equipmentor climate control in manufacturing and processing and/or intransporting materials that must be kept at constant temperature.

One problem in the art with respect to such apparatus, particularly withrespect to air-cooled heat exchangers, is that the equipment typicallyinvolves use of grease-lubed, sealed ball bearings, which are situatedon the top portion or surface of a heat exchanger. The lubricants andbearing assemblies are thus constantly heated when the fan pulls heatfrom the heat exchanger. The fans pull cool air across the fins toextract heat from fluid in the heat exchanger. The lubricants are notonly affected by heat, but also are affected by the work that is done bythe individual balls in the ball bearing assembly. Bearings typicallyfail in approximately eighteen months of service. Failure contributes tohigh expenses associated with replacement due to peripheral equipmentfor associated with disassembling the fan to replace the bearings. Thus,current costs can be about $20,000 for a single replacement. Similarreplacement and failure costs can be seen in various types of heatingand cooling equipment throughout the various industries noted.

There is a need in the art for a bearing assembly that will enable alonger life for bearings between failures as well as that will allow foran easier replacement process.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing need in the art is satisfied by the present inventionwhich enables for a longer life for bearings for use in heating andcooling industrial uses such as air-cooled heat exchangers and the likethan is typically experienced in prior art bearings having lubricatedball bearings. The invention further allows for easier replacementbetween failures of bearings as associated parts, such as an air-coolingfan, will generally not require special disassembly as has been the casewith many prior art bearings.

The invention includes a bearing assembly that has a bearing. Thebearing includes a split bearing body that includes a material chosenfrom a composite or a thermoplastic; and at least one recess configuredfor receiving a rotary seal assembly. The bearing assembly furtherincludes at least one rotary seal assembly that includes an energizingcomponent. The energizing component may include an elastomeric material;for example, it may be an o-ring or other component that is made ofelastomers(s).

Also included are bearing assemblies such as those described above, butwhich have a rotary seal assembly that is chosen from one or more of asplit metal spring-energized seal assembly, a split rubberspring-actuated seal assembly or a split rotolip seal assembly. In anembodiment, the rotary seal assembly is a split metal spring-energizedseal assembly that includes a seal assembly body having a first sealassembly body portion and a second seal assembly body portion. The firstseal assembly body portion and the second seal assembly body portioneach may have a generally semi-circular cross-sectional configurationwhen viewed in an axial direction of the bearing assembly so that whenthe first and the second seal assembly body portions are joined to formthe seal assembly body, they also form a generally circularcross-sectional configuration in the axial direction of the bearingassembly. Further, the seal assembly body portions are shaped so as todefine a groove within each of the first and the second seal assemblybody portions, and the grooves in the first and the second seal assemblybody portions together are configured to meet in generally facingengagement. The split metal spring-energized seal assembly also includesa spring element configured to be received within the grooves, thespring element having an opening configured so as to receive theenergizing component. The energizing component is sized so as to fitwithin the opening in the spring element within the grooves in the firstand the second seal assembly body portions so as to form aball-and-socket o-ring configuration within the split metalspring-energized seal assembly.

The invention may also include bearing assemblies that include (a) abearing having: a split bearing body; and at least two recesses, eachconfigured for receiving a rotary seal assembly; and (b) at least tworotary seal assemblies that comprise an energizing component.

Also encompassed within the scope of the invention are air-cooled heatexchangers that include of more of the bearing assemblies describedabove.

Within the invention are also related methods of making and using thebearing assemblies and air-cooled heat exchangers, including methods ofmanufacturing an air-cooled heat exchanger by providing to theair-cooled heat exchanger a bearing assembly that includes any of thebearing assemblies described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofpreferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood whenread in conjunction with the appended drawings. It should be understoodthat the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements andinstrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional, side-elevational view of an embodiment of abearing body as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a bearing as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of a portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side-elevational view of a bearing bodyportion of the bearing assembly as shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a bearing body as shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a bearing body shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bearing body of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional, side-elevational view of an embodiment of abearing as shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a bearing as in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial view of a portion of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side-elevational view of a bearing bodyportion of the bearing assembly of FIG. 12;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a bearing body as shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of a bearing body shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the bearing body of FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a seal assembly body for use in abearing according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the seal assembly body according to FIG.15;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional, side-elevational view of the seal assemblybody according to FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the seal assemblybody portion of the seal assembly body of FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of an energizing component in the form of ano-ring;

FIG. 19 a is a side-elevational cross-sectional view of the energizingcomponent of FIG. 19;

FIG. 20 a is a perspective representational view of a rotary sealassembly in the form of a spring-energized seal assembly for use in anembodiment of the bearing assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 20 b is a perspective representational view of an alternativespring-energized seal assembly for use in an embodiment of the bearingassembly according to the invention;

FIG. 21 a is a cross-sectional representational view of the sealassembly of FIG. 20 a;

FIG. 21 b is a cross-sectional representational view of the sealassembly of FIG. 20 b;

FIG. 22 a is a perspective representational view of a rotary sealassembly in the form of an energized rotary lip seal assembly for use inan embodiment of the bearing assembly according to the invention havinga protective ring feature;

FIG. 22 b is a perspective representational view of an alternativeenergized rotary lip assembly to that of FIG. 22 a having no protectivering feature;

FIG. 23 is a perspective representational view of rotary seal assemblyin the form of a rubber spring-actuated seal assembly for use with anembodiment of the bearing assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 24 a is cross-sectional view of a rotary seal assembly in the formof a rotary lip assembly for use in an embodiment of the bearingassembly according to the invention;

FIG. 24 b is a cross-sectional view of an alternative rotary sealassembly in the form of a rotary lip assembly as an alternative to FIG.24 a having an energizing element;

FIG. 25 a is a right side oriented perspective view of a bearingassembly contained in a housing having a keying feature in the cap andhousing;

FIG. 25 b is a front perspective view of the bearing plate assembly ofFIG. 25 a identifying the locations of the sections, which are shown inFIGS. 25 c and 25 d, respectively;

FIG. 25 c shows a cross section of the bearing assembly in a housing;

FIG. 25 d shows a cross section of the bearing assembly in a housing;

FIG. 26 a is a right side oriented perspective view of a bearingassembly contained in a housing having a keying feature in the cap andhousing;

FIG. 26 b is a front perspective view of the bearing plate assembly ofFIG. 26 a identifying the locations of the cross sections, which areshown in FIGS. 26 c and 26 d, respectively;

FIG. 26 c shows a cross section of the bearing assembly in a housing;

FIG. 26 d shows a cross section of the bearing assembly in a housing;and

FIG. 26 e shows a detail portion of FIG. 26 c.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to theaccompanying non-limiting drawings. As used herein, “right” and “left,”“upper” and “lower,” “inner” and “outer,” “top” and “bottom,” and wordsof similar import or pertaining to direction and arrangement of elementsare used for convenience in viewing the drawings and are not meant to belimiting.

The bearing assembly of the invention will be explained first withreference to FIGS. 1-3. The bearing assembly, generally shown as 10includes a bearing body 12. The bearing body is preferably shaped so asto have a generally cylindrical shape as shown. However, it should beunderstood that the height, circumference and shape of the bearing bodymay be adapted so as to fit for its particular application in a givenpiece of equipment. The outer surface 13 of the bearing body ispreferably shaped so as to fit within a bearing seat or other opening ina device into which the bearing body will be used (not shown). Thebearing body includes at least one recess 14 configured for receiving arotary seal assembly 16 as described herein. The bearing body is bestshown as a separate component in FIGS. 4-14. A recess 14 preferably hasat least one, and preferably two enlarged widths w1 in an area(s) 16within the recess. This area can accommodate a locking portion in arotary seal assembly. The bearing body is also preferably a splitbearing body having in one embodiment two longitudinally extendinghalves split so that the split line runs in the axial direction of thebearing body. The split portions 18, 20 meet in preferably facingengagement along their respective facing surfaces 22, 24 for example(although it will be understood that there are two such facingsurfaces). By having a split body, the bearing body assembly is easierto assemble and replace parts.

Uniquely, the present invention includes a bearing body formed from athermoplastic or composite material. Preferred material(s) for use informing the bearing body 12 of the assembly 10 herein, include polymericmaterials (filled or unfilled) such as perfluoroalkoxy and modifiedperfluoroalkoxy polymers, polyarylene ether ketones (PAEKs) and theirderivatives, including preferred PAEKs such as polyetherether ketone(PEEK), polyether ketone ketone (PEKK) or polyether ketone (PEK). Otherpreferred materials include the commercial plastic, Arlon®, as well asother thermoplastic materials such as various polyamides (Nylons®),polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyetherimides, polysulfones,polyethersulfones, and derivatives and copolymers of these variousmaterials.

Such materials may be altered by various filler materials as is known inthe art, and other additives, such as plasticizers, lubricants, metalpowders, rheology modifiers, fibers, nanotubes, micropowdersz,particulates, carbon black, polymeric particle fillers, and othersimilar polymeric additives. Examples may include, but are not limitedto, glass (spheres or fibers), silicates, fiberglass, calcium sulfate,asbestos, boron fibers, ceramic fibers, polyamide fibers (such as thosesold under the trademark KEVLAR., available from E.I. du Pont de Nemours& Co., 1007 Market Street, Wilmington, Del., 19898, U.S.A.), aluminumhydroxide, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate,silica, alumina, aluminum nitride, borax (sodium borate), activatedcarbon, pearlite, zinc terephthalate, Buckeyballs, graphite, talc, mica,Hectorite, silicon carbide platelets, wollastonite, calciumterephthalate, silicon carbide whiskers, or fullerene tubes, dependingon the specific properties desired in the end product. In someembodiments, it may be preferred that material is a composite containingcarbon fibers (including chopped, long, and/or continuous fibers),carbon whiskers, carbon balls or carbon nanotubes.

In an embodiment, the bearing body may be treated with a coating layerof a material that reduces friction and/or wear, thereby extending thelife of the body. Such materials may include any known or to bedeveloped in the art and may be applied as a paint on coating, spraycoating, dip coating, etc. Suitable materials may include any and allknown in the art, including, for example, FEP, PTFE, SilverStone®, PFA,Xylan®, Kynar®, nylon, polyesters and epoxies. Other portions of thebearing assembly may be coated with these materials, if desired.

The bearing assembly 10 further includes at least one, and preferablytwo or more, rotary seal assembly(ies) 26, each such assembly 26 havingan energizing component 28. The rotary seal assembly(ies) are arrangedso as to sit within the at least two recesses 14 which are configuredfor receiving such rotary seal assembly(ies). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3,a rotary seal assembly 26 and energizing component 28 fit within recess14. The rotary seal assembly has a seal assembly body 30 which ispreferably also split for removal and installation of its sealingcomponent and which works with the energizing component to form theassembly. The seal assembly body is shown as a separate component inFIGS. 8-14. The seal assembly body 30 preferably has a first portion 32and a second portion 34. Each of the seal assembly body portionspreferably has an enlarged portion 36. The enlarged portions 36 of theseal assembly body portions 32, 34 are configured so as to fit within anenlarged portion 16 of the recess(es) 14 of the bearing body. In thisembodiment, the enlarged portions 36 are areas for joining the assemblybody portions, wherein any locking or joining mechanism is acceptablefor this purpose.

While a preferred embodiment of the rotary seal assembly 26 is shownherein may be a split metal spring-energized seal assembly, othersuitable rotary seal assemblies may be substituted herein and have goodoperation in the present design. The recesses 14 in the bearing body 12may be altered in configuration to accommodate various rotary sealassembly designs. For example, instead of a split metal spring-energizedseal assembly, a split rubber spring-actuated seal assembly or a splitrotolip seal assembly may be used. Such assemblies are known andcommercially available.

Exemplary split spring-energized seal assemblies 38, 40 are shown inrepresentational perspective view with varied cross-sectionalconfigurations in FIGS. 20 a, 20 b and 21 a, 21 b, wherein thespring-energized assembly 38 has an open configuration spring actuatorand the spring energized assembly 40 has a closed spring actuator,wherein the spring actuator keeps the energizing component held withinthe spring element in firm placement in the recesses of the bearingbody. Note that split lines are not readily visible in therepresentational drawings shown in FIGS. 21-22, but a split in theassembly at least in the jacketed body is preferred. Suchspring-energized assemblies are available from Greene, Tweed andCompany, Inc. of Kulpsville, Pa. as MSE® Seals. Further alternativespring-energized rotary lip seal assemblies 42, 44 which may be used inplace of the spring-energized assemblies as shown in FIGS. 20 a-21 b,are shown in FIGS. 23 a, 23 b. In FIG. 23 a, the spring-energized rotarylip assembly includes a protective ring feature 43 that can be adaptedfor certain uses. A further example rotary seal assembly 48 is shown inFIG. 23, wherein the assembly is a split rubber, spring-actuated sealassembly. The rotary seal assembly 48 may include a backup ring. Therotary seal assemblies of FIGS. 22-23 are also commercially availablefrom Greene, Tweed and Company, Inc. of Kulpsville, Pa. as Enerlip® andMetric RSA Seal®, respectively.

FIGS. 24 a and 24 b show cross-sectional views of unreinforced andreinforced rotary lip assemblies. Such rotary seal assemblies as shownin FIG. 24 are commercially available.

Most preferred are the MSE split spring-energized seal assembly asdescribed herein, wherein the seal assembly body 30 has first sealassembly body portion 32 and second seal assembly body portion 34. Thefirst seal assembly body portion 32 and the second seal assembly bodyportion 34 each preferably have a generally semi-circularcross-sectional configuration as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 8, 10, and 15-18when viewed in an axial direction of the bearing assembly so that whenthe first and the second seal assembly body portions 32, 34 are joinedto form the seal assembly body, they also form a generally circularcross-sectional configuration in the axial direction of the bearingassembly 10. Thus, the seal assembly body portions 32, 34 are shaped soas to define a groove 54 within each of the first and the second sealassembly body portions. The grooves in the first and the second sealassembly body portions 32, 34 together are configured to meet ingenerally facing engagement when the seal assembly body portions arejoined.

A spring element such as spring elements 56, 58 in FIGS. 21 a, 21 bwhich are configured to be received within the grooves 54, 55 ispreferably part of the spring actuated assembly. The spring elements 56,58 preferably also have respective openings 60, 62 configured so as toreceive the energizing component. Thus, a closed or open spring elementmay be used; however, a closed spring element is preferred.

The energizing component 28 is preferably an o-ring as shown in FIGS. 1,3, 8, 10, etc. and the o-ring is sized so as to fit within the opening,such as opening 60 in the spring element within the groove in the firstand the second seal assembly body portions 32, 34 so as to form a“ball-and-socket” o-ring configuration as shown in FIG. 3, within thesplit spring-energized seal assembly 30. The o-ring is preferably anelastomeric material of a variety of types of elastomers. Non-limitingexamples of such elastomers include nitrile rubber, hydrogenated nitrilerubber, fluoroelastomers, tetrafluoroethylene/propylene rubber andperfluoroelastomers as well as variations, copolymers and derivatives ofthese materials and other similar materials known in the art.

In an embodiment, the bearing assembly is contained in a bearing andplate assembly that includes housing and a cap. With reference to FIGS.25( a-d) and 26(a-e), the bearing assembly 10 is secured in housing 72and cap 74. The housing and cap may independently include a keyingfeature 76 that may be in the form of male member (such as a tab ortabs). The corresponding split bearing portions 18, 20 are configured tohave a mating portion 78 that interlocks with the keying feature(s) 76.When the assembly is incorporated into, for example, a heat exchanger,this configuration provides dual functionality of anti-rotation (ifthere should be contact with the rotating shaft of the fan) and axialsecurement during operation as the bearing assembly must be constrainedwithin the housing during operation.

FIG. 26( a-e) shows an embodiment of the invention in which a groove 64is located circumferentially in the bearing body. The groove is situatedso as to combine with one or more housing channels 66 and the bearingbody to enable introduction of materials, such as lubricants, into theassembly as necessary.

In one embodiment, the invention includes an air-cooled heat exchanger,which includes a bearing assembly 10 as described herein above. Suitableair-cooled heat exchangers that may be used with the bearing assembliesof the invention are sold commercially by Hudson Products Corporation ofHouston, Tex. It should be understood, however, that many other similarheat exchanges and heating and cooling equipment and industrialcomponents could benefit from the design of the bearing assembliesherein.

The invention also includes a method of manufacturing an air-cooled heatexchanger, such as the air-cooled heat exchangers and similar devicesnoted above. The method includes providing to the air-cooled heatexchanger a bearing assembly such as bearing assembly 10 describedherein.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that thisinvention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but itis intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A bearing assembly comprising: (a) a bearing having: a split bearingbody that comprises material chosen from a composite or a thermoplastic;and at least one recess configured for receiving a rotary seal assembly;and (b) at least one rotary seal assembly comprising an energizingcomponent that comprises an elastomeric material.
 2. The bearingassembly of claim 1, wherein the energizing component is an o-ring. 3.The bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material ischosen from a nitrile rubber, a hydrogenated nitrile rubber, afluoroelastomer, a tetrafluoroethylene/propylene rubber, aperfluoroelastomer, and copolymers thereof.
 4. The bearing assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the bearing body comprises a material chosen frompolytetrafluoroethylene, polyimide, polyarylene ketones, polyamides,polyetherimides, polyetheramides, polysulfones, polyethersulfones, andderivatives and copolymers thereof.
 5. The bearing assembly of claim 4,wherein the bearing body comprises a polyarylene ketone chosen frompolyether ketone, polyether ether ketone, and polyether ketone ketone.6. The bearing assembly of claim 4, wherein the bearing body comprisespolytetrafluoroethylene or polyetherimide.
 7. The bearing assembly ofclaim 1, comprising at least two recesses configured for receiving arotary seal assembly.
 8. The bearing assembly of claim 7, comprising atleast two rotary seal assemblies.
 9. The bearing assembly of claim 1,wherein the rotary seal assembly is chosen from a split spring-energizedseal assembly, a split rubber spring-actuated seal assembly or a splitrotolip seal assembly.
 10. The bearing assembly of claim 9, wherein thesplit spring-energized seal assembly comprises: a seal assembly bodyhaving a first seal assembly body portion and a second seal assemblybody portion, the first seal assembly body portion and the second sealassembly body portion each having a generally semi-circularcross-sectional configuration when viewed in an axial direction of thebearing assembly so that when the first and the second seal assemblybody portions are joined to form the seal assembly body, they also forma generally circular cross-sectional configuration in the axialdirection of the bearing assembly and wherein the seal assembly bodyportions are shaped so as to define a groove within each of the firstand the second seal assembly body portions, wherein the grooves in thefirst and the second seal assembly body portions together are configuredto meet in generally facing engagement; a spring element configured tobe received within the grooves, the spring element having an openingconfigured so as to receive the energizing component, wherein theenergizing component is that is sized so as to fit within the opening inthe spring element within the grooves in the first and the second sealassembly body portions so as to form a ball-and-socket o-ringconfiguration within the split metal spring-energized seal assembly. 11.The bearing assembly of claim 10, wherein the at least one recess in thebearing body has an enlarged width, measured in the axial direction ofthe bearing assembly, that accommodates an enlarged joining area in theseal assembly body.
 12. A bearing assembly comprising: (a) a bearinghaving: a split bearing body that comprises material chosen from acomposite or a thermoplastic; and at least one recess configured forreceiving a split metal spring-energized seal assembly; and (b) at leastone split metal spring-energized seal assembly, wherein each split metalspring-energized seal assembly comprises: a seal assembly body having afirst seal assembly body portion and a second seal assembly bodyportion, the first seal assembly body portion and the second sealassembly body portion each having a generally semi-circularcross-sectional configuration when viewed in an axial direction of thebearing assembly so that when the first and the second seal assemblybody portions are joined to form the seal assembly body, they also forma generally circular cross-sectional configuration in the axialdirection of the bearing assembly and wherein the seal assembly bodyportions are shaped so as to define a groove within each of the firstand the second seal assembly body portions, wherein the grooves in thefirst and the second seal assembly body portions together are configuredto meet in generally facing engagement; a spring element configured tobe received within the grooves, the spring element having an openingconfigured so as to receive an energizing component; and an energizingcomponent.
 13. The bearing assembly of claim 12, wherein the energizingcomponent is an o-ring.
 14. The bearing assembly of claim 13, that issized so as to fit within the opening in the spring element within thegrooves in the first and the second seal assembly body portions so as toform a ball-and-socket o-ring configuration within the split metalspring-energized seal assembly.
 15. The bearing assembly of claim 13,wherein the o-ring comprises an elastomeric material chosen from anitrile rubber, a hydrogenated nitrile rubber, a fluoroelastomer, atetrafluoroethylene/propylene rubber, and a perfluoroelastomer.
 16. Thebearing assembly of claim 12, wherein the bearing body comprises amaterial chosen from polytetrafluoroethylene, polyimide, polyaryleneketone, polyether ketone, polyether ether ketone, polyether ketoneketone, polyamides, polyetherimides, polyetheramides, polysulfones,polytetrafluoroethylene, polyetherimide, polyethersulfones, andcopolymers thereof.
 17. The bearing assembly of claim 12, comprising atleast two recesses configured for receiving a rotary seal assembly. 18.The bearing assembly of claim 12, comprising at least two rotary sealassemblies.
 19. A bearing assembly comprising: (a) a bearing having: asplit bearing body that comprises material chosen from a composite or athermoplastic; and at least one recess configured for receiving a splitmetal spring-energized seal assembly; and (b) at least one split metalspring-energized seal assembly.
 20. A bearing assembly comprising: (a) abearing having: a split bearing body that comprises material chosen froma composite or a thermoplastic; and at least two recesses, eachconfigured for receiving a rotary seal assembly; and (b) at least tworotary seal assemblies that comprise an energizing component.
 21. Thebearing assembly of claim 20, wherein the energizing component is anelastomeric o-ring.
 22. An air-cooled heat exchanger, comprising abearing assembly that comprises: (a) a bearing having: a split bearingbody that comprises material chosen from a composite or a thermoplastic;and at least one recess configured for receiving a rotary seal assembly;and (b) at least one rotary seal assembly that comprises an energizingcomponent that comprises an elastomeric material.
 23. The air-cooledheat exchanger of claim 22, wherein the split bearing body has at leasttwo recesses that are each configured for receiving a split metalspring-energized seal assembly.
 24. A method of manufacturing anair-cooled heat exchanger comprising providing to the air-cooled heatexchanger a bearing assembly that comprises: (a) a bearing having: asplit bearing body that comprises material chosen from a composite or athermoplastic; and at least one recess configured for receiving a rotaryseal assembly; and (b) at least one rotary seal assembly that comprisesan energizing component that comprises an elastomeric material.
 25. Themethod of claim 24, wherein the split bearing body has at least tworecesses that are each configured for receiving a split metalspring-energized seal assembly.